1996 Jeep Cherokee: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 584 complaints
584
Total Complaints
140,226mi
Median Mileage
Rotor
Top Issue
72
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
103,000
25th Percentile
140,226
Median Mileage
181,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Rotor
62
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
23
Automatic Transmission
22
Engine
20
Frontal
19
Hinge And Attachments
16
Electrical System
16
Gasoline
15
Suspension
15
Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch
13
Severity Assessment
72
Crashes
30
Fires
32
Injuries
1
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN APPLY THE BRAKE IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND SEAT BELT DIDN'T RESTRAIN HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD ."
"CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN APPLY THE BRAKE IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND SEAT BELT DIDN'T RESTRAIN HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD ."
"CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN APPLY THE BRAKE IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND SEAT BELT DIDN'T RESTRAIN HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD ."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 86
NY: 43
PA: 38
TX: 31
MD: 29
FL: 27
GA: 25
OH: 25
NJ: 21
VA: 20
Who Files Complaints?
39.2%
Original Owners
60.8%
Second+ Owners
Jeep Cherokee — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (10)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Campaign 08V056000 | 06/02/2008
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED STANDARDS.
U.S. DRIVE RIGHT WILL MAKE ALL THE REQUIRED MODIFICATIONS. A REPRESENTATIVE WILL TRAVEL TO THE CUSTOMER'S LOCATION AND MAKE THE MODIFICATIONS ON SITE. THE RECALL WILL BE PERFORMED ON A REGIONAL BASIS BEGINNING MARCH 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT U.S. DRIVE RIGHT AT 1-888-632-5936.
Brake Lights
Campaign 11V279000 | 06/05/2011
INADEQUATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
U.S. DRIVE RIGHT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND MAIL KITS ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY A QUALIFIED MECHANIC OF THEIR CHOICE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT U.S. DRIVE RIGHT AT 1-888-632-5936.
Headlights
Campaign 09E025000 | 11/05/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 09E012000 | 07/04/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Campaign 06E022000 | 13/03/2006
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN LEAD TO A DECREASE IN BRAKE LINE PRESSURE AND AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
AFFINIA (BRAKE PARTS, INC.) WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT BRAKE HYDRAULIC MASTER CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AFFINA GROUP CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-323-0354.
Exterior Lighting
Campaign 06E026000 | 23/03/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Rotor
Campaign 00V136000 | 10/05/2000
THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.
Gear Box (Other Than Rack And Pinion)
Campaign 97V069000 | 28/04/1997
DUE TO HIGH STEERING LOAD EVENTS, VEHICLES CAN EXHIBIT BROKEN STEERING GEAR ATTACHING BOLTS OR FRAME RAIL CRACKING AT THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHING POINT INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR CRACKS IN THE FRAME RAIL. VEHICLES THAT SHOW CRACKS WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH REINFORCEMENT PLATES. VEHICLES THAT ARE FOUND TO BE FREE OF CRACKS WILL HAVE A SLOT CUT IN THE CROSS MEMBER AND THE FILLET WELD WILL BE ADDED.
Rear/Other
Campaign 97V040000 | 17/03/1997
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED.
DEALERS WILL ADD A WASHER TO EACH REAR INBOARD SEAT BELT ANCHOR ATTACHMENT.
Fuses And Circuit Breakers
Campaign 95V193000 | 11/10/1995
IMPROPER CLAMPING CAN RESULT IN ARCING AT THE CONNECTION POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR FUSE WITH A FUSE LINK AND ANY DAMAGE TO THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER WILL BE REPAIRED.
Extend Your Brake Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Replace brake pads before they wear to the metal — rotors cost 3x more
- Flush brake fluid every 2-3 years regardless of mileage
- Don't ride the brakes downhill — use engine braking
- Address any grinding, pulsing, or pulling immediately
- Have brakes inspected during every tire rotation
Vehicle Rankings
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28